Deputy Representative Operations, (P-4) Fixed Term – Tashkent, Uzbekistan #21627

UNICEF Uzbekistan seeks a highly motivated, proactive, dedicated and experienced Deputy Representative, Operations. As a Strategic Business Partner and Deputy for the Head of Office, the incumbent will be responsible to lead for results, drive change, provide risk informed, solution-focused analysis, advice and services and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in all operational contexts.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

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For every child, Commitment!

The Operations function supports the Head of the Office on managing the office and monitoring operations and programmes as needed, while providing advice on best and innovative management practices to enhance office performance. The function is a strategic Business Partner role within the Senior Management team, assuring the best use of UNICEF assets in alignment with sound management practices, office priorities and goals to deliver results for children.

How well do you know Uzbekistan?

A country wrapped in ancient mysteries with a rich cultural heritage, a bustling capital with modern infrastructure and lifestyle.

UNICEF Country Office in Uzbekistan embraces diversity…

We deliver more…

We innovate more…

We celebrate more…

We are resilient… we make sure that no child is left behind.

So, are you thinking about applying to Uzbekistan? We promise you an experience of a lifetime.

Uzbekistan, nestled in the heart of Central Asia, is a land where tradition meets modern aspirations, creating a vibrant tapestry that beckons with promise and charm. Imagine walking through the bustling streets of Tashkent, the capital city, where contemporary buildings stand alongside majestic mosques and bustling bazaars. Experience the warm and welcoming spirit of the Uzbek people and experience their rich cultural heritage.  The country’s commitment to education and healthcare ensures a good quality of life, while its diverse landscapes, ranging from the rolling Kyzylkum Desert to the lush Fergana Valley, offer endless opportunities for adventure and exploration.

Beyond the urban allure, Uzbekistan’s cities like Samarkand and Bukhara transport you to the romance of the ancient Silk Road.  Stunning mosques and minarets, with blue-tiled facades, gleam under the sun. Life in Uzbekistan is enriched by a deep sense of history and a lifestyle that emphasizes family and community. The country’s recent economic reforms and improved infrastructure are making life increasingly convenient and prosperous, with a growing number of international businesses and tourists discovering its potential. Living in Uzbekistan means being part of a dynamic, evolving society that holds tightly to its roots while ambitiously looking to the future, offering a unique blend of stability, culture, and growth. 

Country Typology:

• Country Income Level: Uzbekistan is a Lower-Middle Income country.
• Duty Station: Tashkent is a “B”, family, and non-emergency duty station.
• Office Size: 70 staff
• Annual Budget 2024-2025: US$ 35 – 40 million approximately. The CO is expected to receive an additional USD40 million by the end of 2025.
• Schooling: 10 international schools, many offering the IB programme
• A seasoned and experienced Operations Manager or Deputy Representative Operations is required for this role

Brief country context:

Uzbekistan is a lower-middle income country nestled in Central Asia. Geographically, it is one of the only two double land-locked countries in the world. Its geo-political location provides an important opportunity for Uzbekistan to play a critical role in the development of the region. With a population of over 35 million, several development indicators show a positive trend in Uzbekistan. The country has adopted ambitious development plans which focus on legislative, economic, and social reforms aimed at developing human capital and economic prosperity. UNICEF Uzbekistan is also the focal point for the Termez Humanitarian Logistics Hub located in the southern region of Surkandarya, which provides essential logistical and procurement support to UNICEF Afghanistan. Given the operational complexity and high-level engagement with the Government, the Deputy Representative Operations will play a critical role in ensuring smooth support to the Office. Twenty-five UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes comprise the UN Country Team in Uzbekistan, chaired by the United Nations Resident Coordinator.

UNICEF Uzbekistan stands as the third largest office in Europe and Central Asia Region. With contributions from the Vision2030 Fund, International Financial Organizations, and government donors, the office is vigorously scaling up its efforts to transform the lives of children across the nation. This dynamic environment is ripe for a passionate and experienced leader to join the team.

For more information on UNICEF Uzbekistan watch the video accessible via this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd1BXVM9cRc

How can you make a difference? 

Are you ready to make a difference? The Deputy Representative Operations is a pivotal role within the Senior Management Team, ensuring the optimal use of UNICEF assets in line with strategic management practices and office goals to achieve tangible results for children. This role involves not only supporting the Head of Office in managing operations and programs but also offering innovative management advice to boost office performance. As a key figure, you will lead a dedicated team of approximately 20 staff members, driving change and providing risk-informed, solution-oriented analysis and services. Your leadership will be crucial in navigating the complexities of the current and upcoming Country Programme Documents (CPD) for 2026-2030, ensuring robust risk management systems and maximizing the impact of substantial funding in a challenging operational landscape.

Purpose of post:

As a Strategic Business Partner and Deputy for the Head of Office, the incumbent will be responsible to lead for results, drive change, provide risk informed, solution-focused analysis, advice and services and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in all operational contexts.

The Deputy Representative, Operations will be entrusted with the following five pillars, the core focus of all operations functions:

1. Valuing People: Lead, manage and develop people resources to promote technical competence and foster career progression and retention of a “fit for purpose”/ agile workforce.

2. Valuing Money: Champion strategic resources to achieve organizational goals and ensure Value for Money (VfM).

3. Valuing Risk Management: Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal control.

4. Valuing Systems and Structures: Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains.

5. Valuing Partners: Strengthening internal and external-facing partnerships and leveraging UNICEF’s oversight and understanding of financial management across all areas of the office.

Strategic Operations will accomplish this by:

• Leading by example and supporting the Head of Office on managing the office;
• Acting as Officer in Charge in the absence of the Head of Office;
• Managing services in the functional areas of operations support: budget, financial management and reporting, facilities management, administration, supply and logistics management, information and communications technology, human resources, and safety and security and convening the other functions to arrive at a unified vision;
• Ensuring processes are in place to identify, promote and empower the potential in staff through career development, opportunities for stretch assignments and succession planning;
• Acting as member of the Country and Senior Management Teams, representing the organizational risk, governance systems and policies perspective in management discussions, and promoting results-based management.
• Understanding business needs for the Country Programme, to anticipate challenges, propose viable solutions, provide creative and innovative ideas aimed at a solution- focused approach to include value for money strategies, all underpinned by quality assurance measures;
• Providing key contribution to CPD, CPMP, AMP and support to Results Based Management and implementation using Value for Money criteria;
• Leveraging technology for results and programme accountabilities, making effective adoption of tools and promoting the fundamentals of ICT management, information security and controls;
• Supporting the country office during external and internal audit reviews and responding to audit observations and monitoring implementation of recommendations.;
• Guiding Supply and Logistics strategies and interventions to meet programmatic needs while ensuring Value for Money (VfM), including procurement of fit for purpose products and services, and providing advisory support to governments, national systems and partners on supply chain management;
• Leveraging governance, systems, and tools to provide regular feedback on risks and achievements of operations functions in the country;
• Leading on facility management with a specific focus on inclusive accessibility, eco sustainability and common premises;
• Overseeing business transactions processed by GSSC from a perspective of Efficiency, Performance, Risk Management and Fraud prevention;

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education:

  An Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) in one of the following areas is required: Business management; Financial management; Accounting; Public Finance; and related operations function (Supply Chain, Human Resources, Information Technology, International Business, Project management, etc.) or a full professional accounting designation (CA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CPFA, Expert Comptable) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required.

• Work Experience:

  A minimum of 8 years of professional experience, at the national and international level, is required, specifically in advocating and implementing strategic organizational initiatives in one or more operations management area including budget; financial management and reporting; facilities management; administration; supply and logistics management; information and communication technology; human resources.

  Prior experience in the development sector, humanitarian/emergency context, or UN system/ international NGOs would be an asset.

  Prior experience working with or in the private sector, and supporting private sector fundraising, is desirable.

  Given the flow of funding, experience in one or more of the following areas required:

  • Audit and investigations
  • Grant Management
  • Enterprise Risk Management

  Experience in Results Based Management is a requirement.

• Language Requirements:

  Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Russian is desirable.  Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

Previous hands-on experience in strategic and managerial leadership is required.

Solid experience in managing complex operations that combine both humanitarian and development components in middle-income contexts.

Well-developed ability to think ‘outside the box’ and support innovation for the office.

Ability to manage a large team that is client-focused and able to deliver to diverse stakeholder groups.

Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable.

Experience in supporting culture change, psychological safety, and a positive work environment.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

(8)  Nurtures, leads and manages people.

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.